CNI News

21 December 2024

Myanmar has made efforts throughout the ages to develop its industrial sector, including agriculture, but questions have been raised as to why it has not yet succeeded. 

Because Myanmar is an agricultural country, it is necessary to mainly industrialize the agricultural business, pointed out economic analysts. 

Relevant government agencies need to work directly with farmers so that efforts could be made to industrialize the agricultural workplace, pointed out economic analysts. 

And then, it was necessary to carry out first to help farmers develop through business owners, U Sein Win, former member of the Hluttaw from Maubin, told CNI News.

While seeing a farmer

" The first thing to do is to industrialize the agricultural sector so that an industrial nation can be established. They can't perform to industrialize the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector just can't be industrialized with a theory. It's necessary to put it into practice as well. Based on and centered on farmers, it must be performed. Farmers must be included in every development. The ministry tackles farmers through cronies, but not directly. To develop an industrial nation based on agriculture, it is necessary to take businessmen into account. The government, farmers and businessmen need to cooperate so that farmers can develop." he said.

The State Administration Council issued an order dated December 18 stating that the Industrial Development Commission has been established to implement development of the industrial sector in full swing. 

The Commission is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Htun Oo, and Union Minister for Industry Dr. Charlie Than acts as vice-chairman. 

The commission was formed with 16 members.

While the Industrial Development Commission has been formed

Only paddy cultivation is industrialized and there is still a need for mechanization in the cultivation of pulses and corn that are being exported. 

There are a lot of wastage to mechanize the cultivation of pulses and corn, former chairman of the Farmers Development Association U Thein Aung told CNI News.

" Machines are used in cultivating and harvesting paddy, but pulses can't be harvested yet with machines. The bean harvesting machine was created. But it causes 25 percent wastage. The corn harvesting machine is the same as well.

Although international organizations and the government issued loans to buy harvesting and threshing machines, it was just a little effective because there were a lot of farmers who were not within their reach. 

So, farmers want the government to work directly with farmers in issuing loans.

CNI News

21 December 2024

Four Mon armed groups agree to merge into a unified army, a single Mon National Armed Forces and take military action, they said in their joint statement that was released on 19th December 2024. 

The four Mon Armed groups are The Mon Liberation Army (MLA), Mon State Defense Force (MSDF), Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF), the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA-AD).

While seeing a joint statement released by four Mon armed groups

The four Mon armed groups held the military cooperation meeting on 18th December 2024 and agreed to merge into a single Mon revolutionary army, said in their joint statement.

As the first stage, the four armed groups agreed to carry out joint military operations, said in the statement.

CNI News

20 December 2024

The agreements reached from political dialogues regarding the wars must be enacted in the constitution so that political guarantees could be won,  chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S) Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

Although the EAOs have the upper hand on the SAC because they have captured a lot of territories, the SAC would accede not everything the EAOs demand, pointed out political commentators.

Meanwhile, although China could intervene to prevent the utter devastation, the decision would depend on the stakeholders, said Col. Khun Okkar.

" War results must be officially changed into political results. It's impossible that political results must be guaranteed because of the war results. The war results are when you win, you take and when I win, I take. But political results will be guaranteed by political agreements reached through political dialogues. If these political guarantees only are enacted in the constitution, military victories will become political victories. It must be included in the amendments of the constitution." he said.

While armed groups, the Tatmadaw and political parties were meeting and discussing

The delegation of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the MNDAA met and discussed in China on 15th December and, then the Myanmar Tatmadaw would possibly meet with the TNLA and the AA, considered military and political analysts.

Until that situation, the AA was launching offensives to important military headquarters, they pointed out. 

Although revolutionary forces were saying there was no reason to discuss because they would pay the blood debt, stakeholders would have to go back to the political roundtable in the end of revolution and politics, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.

While seeing Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo and the MNDAA

" Although revolutionary forces are saying that they would pay the blood debt, in the end of politics and revolution, stakeholders will have to go back to the political roundtable. Revolutionary groups are different from one another and so are nationalities that are waging the revolution. Rulers who have ruled through the ages know that. When the EAOs gain the de facto power that can rule their territories, political discussions could emerge. Although they say that they build their territories, the Union Government says that it is an internal affairs and conducts air strikes and shooting with large weapons. To prevent these attacks, it is necessary to reach political agreements." he said.

China met with the AA on 1st December and with the UWSA on 3rd December and with the TNLA on 5th December and with the KIA on 8th and 9th December. 

And then, the MNDAA met with the delegation of the Myanmar Tatmadaw led by Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo on 15th December.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw is not encouraging in the current battles against EAOs, pointed out military and political analysts.

CNI News
19 December 2024

Senior military ranks of the Myanmar Tatmadaw were being reshuffled, said those close to Naypyidaw. 

Lt-Gen Kyaw Swar Lin who held the position of the Chief of Staff (Army) was transferred to the position of the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) and Maj-Gen Than Htike, Commander of the Northwest Command was transferred to the position of the Chief of Staff ( Army).

The principal of the No. 13 Military Higher Training School, Brig-Gen Myo Min Htwe will be transferred to the position of the Commander of the Northwest Command. 
Moreover, Brig-Gen Soe Kyaw Htet was appointed as the Commander of the Southwest Command and Maj-Gen Wai Lin, commander of the Southwest Command, was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Other top military positions are also likely to be reshuffled, according to sources from Naypyidaw.

CNI News
19 December 2024

General Tin Aung San and General Maung Maung Aye were transferred, announced the State Administration Council (SAC) on 18th December 2024. 

General Tin Aung San was transferred from the position of Minister of Defense to the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said in a statement issued by the SAC.

Moreover, General Maung Maung Aye who held the position of the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) was transferred as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, announced the SAC.

General Tin Aung San served as the Chief of Staff (Navy) from 11th August 2015 to February 2021 and as the Minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication from 3rd February, 2021 to 3rd August, 2023.

While seeing the statement released by the SAC

And then, he served as the Defense Minister from 3rd August 2023 to 17th December 2024. He is serving as a member of the SAC as well.

General Maung Maung Aye served as the Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) from 1st February 2021 to 17th December, 2024 and has been serving as member of the SAC up to now since 25th September 2023.

Moreover, he will serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

CNI News

19 December 2024

China's pressure on the Arakan Army (AA) was unlikely to be significant, U Khun Sai who is taking part in the peace process, told CNI News. 

The AA is severely attacking in order to capture the West Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw and on the other hand, leaders of the AA are discussing with the Chinese delegates. 

Although China might have put pressure on the AA more or less, it was unlikely to be significant, said U Khun Sai.

" The AA is different from the UWSA and the NDAA. The AA is far away from China. it's near to India and Bangladesh. China might have pressure on the AA more or less. But the pressure is unlikely to be significant like those on the Kokang and Myla, I think. It's up to the AA whether it will attack Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. China does business in Kyaukphyu. And there is its deep sea port from which China imports petroleum and gas. There will be give and take between China and the AA for that. There is a navy camp of the SAC on Mahn Aung Island. It won't be easy for the AA to capture Mahn Aung because the AA doesn't have navy force." he said.

While seeing a junction in Rakhine State

While the battles are severely breaking out between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Rakhine State, The AA officials and the Chinese officials met and discussed in Tengchong, China on 1st December 2024. 

The matters regarding building peace, ceasefire and the security for the Chinese projects were discussed in the meeting. 

However, the AA captured 10 battalions and divisions including military camps near the airport in Ann Township, it released on 6th December 2024.

Moreover, the AA announced that it had captured the Border Guard Police Unit-5 of the SAC on 8th December and seized control of the entire Maungdaw Town on 10th December 2024. 

The AA should abandon its armed policy and he wanted the AA on the right track, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in the 50th anniversary celebration of Rakhine State Day on 15th December 2024.

Rather than putting pressure on the AA, China was in a situation that it would have to negotiate with the AA, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) U Myo Kyaw told CNI News.

While seeing the AA

" Ann, Taung Goat and Gwa - they are exits of Rakhine State by road. The AA has captured Ann where the West Command of the SAC is located and Taung Goat. Now, the AA is launching an offensive to Gwa. It will be able to capture the town in a few days, I think. According to the geographic situation, I don't think China won't be able to put pressure on the AA. And the AA can relate with India and Bangladesh. So, rather than pressure, China will have to negotiate with the AA because China's a two ocean dream and investments are located in Rakhine State. So, they will negotiate and conduct a give and take, I think." he said.

Battles are severely breaking out between the AA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Rakhine State and there are also many IDFs there. 

Moreover, houses, schools, monasteries, religious buildings, bazaars, roads and bridges were damaged while people in the state are facing the shortages of food, medicine and fuel oil.

About 2 million people could face famine in Rakhine State and in early 2025, production of food in the state could meet only 20 percent of the necessity, estimated the UNDP.

CNI News

19 December 2024

Because the amount of onion left in the onion warehouses is fewer, newly appeared rainfed onions are being sold at good prices, according to onion traders and farmers. 

Just a few lakhs of onion viss were left in the warehouses in Myingyan and Pakokku, said onion traders. 

So, newly arisen onions were being sold at good prices and the prices could be going up until the end of this month, Ko Win Zaw, an onion trader from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

" The prices of onions go up. Because the amount of old onions left has been fewer, rainfed onions seem to be sold at good prices until new onions arise. The prices of new onions go up by 100 to 200 kyats per viss."

Because the onions are in high demand in the domestic onion market, the prices of onions are going up in the Yangon market as well. 

While seeing onions

Export quality onions are sold at higher prices and  locally used onions and lower quality onions are being sold at high prices.

The price of onion is over 3,000 kyats per viss in the rural townships and 4,500 kyats per viss in Yangon. 

Because the newly appeared rainfed onions could be sold at good prices, it was beneficial to onion farmers, U Zaw Htay, an onion farmer from Pakokku told CNI News.

" Onion farmers have profited by 40 percent to 50 percent. The prices of rainfed onions will fall by the end of this month. Moreover, Myittha onions were sunk. This is the main cause." he said.

Normally, the prices of onions often fall, but because this year onions grown in Myittha where most onions are grown  were sunk and onions are few in stock, onions are sold at good prices.

CNI News

19 December 2024

The Ministry of Labor has planned to send only skilled workers abroad instead of general workers and the ministry notified it verbally, some overseas employment agencies told CNI News. 

Only those who have obtained certificates from the National Skills Standards Authority (NSSA) are designated as skilled workers and the ministry is planning to send only them abroad.

Due to domestic labor needs, overseas employment agencies are likely to be further restricted and the agencies may cease their operations, an official from one of the agencies, told CNI News.

" It is notified verbally. No instructions have been issued yet for implementation. It will be necessary to change general workers into skilled workers. Not every business uses skilled workers. It encourages openin training courses that will produce skilled workers. We'll take a long time to gather general workers for a demand letter. I don't think it will be successful. It may be gradually in the future. The current government will suspend sending workers abroad one day because labors have been in high demand. So, rules are coming out one after another." he said.

While seeing the Department of Labor

At present, skilled workers are being sent to Japan, South Korea and other countries while general workers mainly to neighboring countries. 

Some foreign countries call separately skilled workers or general workers and others, only general workers.

If skilled workers only were sent, it would not be convenient, Ko Naing Aung Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" Are recipient countries going to call only skilled workers? Whether skilled or general workers, standards they have designated are needed. Thailand mainly calls general workers. It won't be 99 percent. convenient" he said.

In Myanmar, there are over 500 agencies that can send workers abroad and most of them send workers to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

Because of departmental limitations at present, it is difficult for the agencies to send workers and workers are finding it difficult to go abroad as well.

CNI News

19 December 2024

The Arakan Army could leave Sittwe and Kyaukphyu as demilitarised zones, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, an NCA signatory, told CNI News.

China summoned and met with leaders of the AA on 1st December, he said.

“Whether a sensitive economic hub like Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, the current administrative capital of Rakhine State should be attacked or left as demilitarized zones, the AA seems to ask China for advice. 

These two places are left as demilitarized zones and by maintaining important military headquarters, the AA may get the political results it wants. In my opinion, Sittwe and Kyaukphyu could be left as demilitarized zones.” said Col. Khun Okkar.

The entrance signboard to Sittwe City

China met with the AA on 1st December, and with the UWSA on 3rd December and, with the TNLA on 5th December and, with the KIA on 8th and 9th December. 

The MNDAA met with the SAC delegation led by Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo on 15th December.

Battles are severely breaking out between the SAC and the AA in Rakhine State and the AA has captured 13 towns. Currently, the AA is launching offensives in order to capture Ann and Gwa Towns.

According to the AA's political ambition and its deep connection with China, the situation would have to be watched, spokesperson of the 7 EAO Alliance, Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

The entrance signboard to Kyaukphyu Town

" It will depend on how deep the AA's relation with China is. I know they met. China wants armed conflicts to end. It wants peace talks. The AA can capture one town after another. The AA 's ambition is to win the level that is not lower than the confederation." he said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw was not encouraging in the current battles against EAOs across the country, pointed out military and political analysts.

Armed groups could not demand their desire through armed means and armed conflicts could be solved at the political roundtable only, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his letter sent to the 50th anniversary celebration of Rakhine State Day.